ONE of Ireland’s leading academics on alcohol abuse has warned both men and women to be wary of the dangers of the 12 Pubs of Christmas tradition, which he said raises the possibility of violence and even sexual assault.
![A Generic photo of a group of people drinking at a Christmas party. See PA Feature WELLBEING Wellbeing Column. PA Photo/Thinkstockphotos. WARNING: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature WELLBEING Wellbeing Column.]()
Fermoy native and professor of population health medicine at Trinity College, Professor Joe Barry, said that the modern tradition was fraught with danger.
He warned women to be wary of their alcohol intake because of the potential for predatory behaviour.
He said: “Let me be clear — the only people responsible for rape and sexual assault are the perpetrators, not victims in any way. What I am saying is that these predators do look out for potential victims who may be vulnerable from the effects of alcohol. Safety should be paramount.”
The 12 Pubs tradition will begin in earnest tomorrow, the first weekend of December, and will see bars packed with revellers intent on having one drink in the first pub before moving on to 11 more and having one drink in each.
![22/02/10 Professor Joe Barry, Head of Department of Public Health and Primary Care, TCD who gave evidence at the inquest into the death of Dwayne Foster, who died in garda custody, at the Coroner's Court in Dublin yesterday. Pic: BILLY HIGGINS STAFF]()
Professor Joe Barry. Pic: Billy Higgins
Professor Barry, a board member of Alcohol Action Ireland, said it was a recipe for disaster for both men and women.
He said: “We have to strike a balance between being killjoys and common sense. Everyone wants to have a good time. However, any way you look at it, consuming alcohol in 12 pubs is a lot.”
He said it was not just liver damage and physical ailments from binge drinking, but also the possibility of violence and even sexual assault.
He said: “The evidence suggests that men will get into fights, the more alcohol they consume.
“In practice, 12 drinks is a recipe for it, even if you have only half a pint in each pub. If 1,000 people do it that way, there will be violence somewhere.”
He also warned that some people with suicidal ideation could act upon it with excess alcohol.
He said: “It’s said that around the River Lee, that the best protection at night would be barriers to prevent people from entering the water. It’s a big problem around the city.”
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